The minimum recommended computer equipment required for writing the online exam consists of:

• An Internet connection (preferably high speed)
• Browser Requirements:
  • Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater OR
  • Netscape 6.0 or higher OR
  • Firefox 1.0 or higher
  • Screen Size Requirements: Screen resolution of 800 X 600 or greater
  • Test the compatibility of your computer(s) by going to the ASI Test Site at http://asitest.ca/asi-template.htm Click on Support at the bottom of the page, and then click on 'Compatibility'. This feature checks the computer system to make sure it is compatible for running the on-line test.

The exam is closed book. It will test the candidates understanding of the material. It will not ask, "In what section of the Regulation will you find....."

Yes. Candidates may write the exam anytime they choose and any place they choose as long as they have a computer, an online connection, a browser and a Proctor. Proctors are discussed, below. TICO/CITC have also arranged for a few Proctored Venues for those candidates who prefer the convenience of having the venue, the computers and a proctor provided for them.

Download the Proctor Guide 

A Proctor is an impartial 'supervisor' for the writing of the exam. His or her responsibility is to:

• ensure the integrity of the writing of the exam
• make certain there are no disruptions
• check the candidate's photo identification to ensure that they are the actual candidate registered to write the exam
• make sure that no sharing of information among candidates takes place during the exam, and
• use established procedures to deal with issues that may arise during the writing of the exam.

The key to finding a Proctor is to ensure that there is no conflict of interest

• 'Conflict of Interest' in this context, means that the Proctor does not work for the same agency/organization as those who are writing the exam, and that there is no relationship between a Proctor and a candidate that could call into question the impartiality of the Proctor (eg spouse, relative, business partner etc).

• The Proctor must also be prepared to review, understand and comply with their role and responsibilities as set out in the Proctor Guide .

• The Proctor application should be completed by the Proctor, after he/she has read through the 20-Page Proctor Guide.
  
    View the online proctor application form

The Proctor Guide  has been designed to cover the following information::

• Who can Proctor
• The Proctor's Role and Responsibilities Before the Exam
• The Proctor's Role and Responsibilities on the Day of the Exam
• Sample Welcome Script
• Sample Instruction Script
• Guidelines Concerning Irregular Incidents
• The TICO Exam Candidate Log
• Contact Information

CITC will do all they can to offer programs, advice and suggestions on how to prepare candidates for the exam. This could consist of completing the sample exam, taking a preparation course, or speaking to a mentor who has already passed the exam. While CITC will provide as much assistance as possible, the bottom line is that the Travel Counsellor Exam is mandatory.

Yes. Kindly fill out the Special Needs Accommodation Form  and fax it to CITC, just after you register online for the TICO Exam. As long as CITC is given at least 14 days notice, special arrangements can be made for candidates with special needs.

Every person in Ontario who is working for a retail travel agency and is selling travel services or providing travel advice to the public must, by law, meet the industry's Education Standards. This includes employees and contractors as well as supervisor/managers.

This exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. It is only available in an on-line format to ensure that all Ontario registrants are able to write it, wherever they work and at a time of their choosing.

The second level of the program is for supervisors and managers.  Every travel agency is required to name a Supervisor/Manager on their application for registration or renewal.  This individual is the Supervisor/Manager “on record” with TICO.  The Supervisor/Manager on record with TICO as of June 30th, 2009 will be “grandfathered” and will not be required to take the Supervisor/Manager Exam by July 1, 2009 .  An individual that has not been approved as a Supervisor/Manager by TICO and who wishes to act as the Supervisor/Manager on record with TICO on or after July 1, 2009, must write and pass the Supervisor/Manager Exam. . 

Please note that all supervisors and managers or other individuals who may wish to advance in the industry in the future are welcome and encouraged to take the exam.   A combination exam is available for those wishing to write both the Travel Counsellor and the Supervisor/Manager exams at the same time. 

The Supervisor/Manager Exam, by itself, will consists of 30 multiple choice questions. It is only available in an on-line format to ensure that all supervisor/managers are able to write it, wherever they work and at a time of their choosing.

Yes. A combination Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager Exam will be available. The exam will consist of 80 multiple choice questions.

Exam results are only reported to the individual who wrote the exam. Privacy laws require that CITC obtain the explicit permission of a candidate if that candidate wants their results disclosed to a third party. Of course the candidate is free to disclose their results to anyone they choose.

• Third Party Notification. At the time of registration, a candidate may request that their exam results be sent directly to a third party (eg. Supervisor, trainer etc), by filling out the Third Party Authorization Form . In each instance, CITC requires signed permission from the candidate. It is up to the candidate to forward this signed permission to CITC. CITC will not contact candidates to ask them if information can be released to a third party.
• NOTE: After a candidate writes the Exam and receives their results, it is the candidate's responsibility to communicate their results, if they so choose, to a third party. CITC will not entertain requests to forward results to a 3rd party after they have already been mailed to a candidate, however this service may be available with an administration fee attached.

There is no limit to the number of times a candidate may re-write the exam.

The following waiting times will apply to re-writes:

1st re-write-- 14 day waiting period
2nd re-write-- 1 month
3rd and subsequent re-writes-- 1 month

Each exam has a unique pass mark. This is because exams are built by assembling a random group of questions from a larger bank of questions. Each question has been reviewed and rated by an expert industry committee to determine how difficult the question is for a candidate with the minimum required amount of knowledge, and how likely it is for that candidate to select the correct answer. Obviously the harder the question or more technical - the more likely people will be to fail it. Likewise, if the question is easier, there will be a higher percentage of people who will select the correct answer.

Therefore, each question on the exam has its own level of difficulty and expected % pass mark assigned. Once all the exam questions are determined for the specific test form, then, the individual question pass marks are averaged and the overall exam pass % is determined for that form. This is called the examination standard. Since each exam will be made up of a different mix of questions the pass mark of each form will vary. The average pass mark is roughly 70%.
 

Each exam form has a different exam standard (% pass mark) so that all candidates are treated equally in terms of an exam level of difficulty. Therefore the actual pass mark has no specific bearing other than to determine if the requirement of passing the exam has been met or not met (as in the case of a fail). A report of the pass mark would be of no significance since it could not be compared to results from another exam form.

Registration for the Travel Counsellor exam is $35.00 plus applicable taxes.

The re-write fee is $24.00 plus applicable taxes.

There are no discounts available to candidates who prefer not to download the Study Manual. There are no group writing discounts.

Registration for the Supervisor/Manager exam is $35.00 plus applicable taxes

The re-write fee is $24.00 plus applicable taxes

Registration for the combined Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager exam is estimated at $50.00 plus applicable taxes